Apparatus, system, and method for an elastomer lined self locking tie

ABSTRACT

An elastomer lined self-locking tie includes an elongated strap, at least one cavity or recess in the the elongated strap, an elastomer segment, and a locking head. The elongated strap includes a head end positioned opposite a tapered end. The tapered end includes a first surface positioned opposite a second surface. The cavity is positioned in either the first surface or the second surface. The elastomer segment is positioned within the cavity and extends beyond either the first surface or the second surface. The locking head extends from the head end of the elongated strap and includes an orifice shaped to receive the tapered end of the elongated strap and the elastomer segment.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/108,010 titled “ELASTOMER LINED SELF LOCKING TIE” andfiled on Jan. 26, 2015 for Creighton King, and to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/249,002 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEM, ANDMETHOD FOR AN ELASTOMER LINED SELF LOCKING TIE” and filed on Oct. 30,2015 for Creighton King, which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to self-locking ties and more particularlyrelates to elastomer lined self-locking ties.

BACKGROUND

Self-locking ties are conventionally known as cable ties, tie-wraps,hose ties or zip ties. A self-locking ties is a type of fastener forholding items together. A common use for self-locking ties is to holdelectric cables or wires together. Conventional self-locking ties areconstructed with smooth sides and rigid edges. The rigid edges of aconventional self-locking tie can easily damage an electric cable.

The use of self-locking ties is not limited to electric cables or wires.For example, self-locking ties may be used to hold painted itemstogether. The relatively rigid edges of a conventional self-locking tiemay damage the very objects it is intended to collect and organize. Thehard edges of the self-locking tie straps may cut into, scratch, andotherwise damage the surface of its collected objects.

Another common use for self-locking ties includes the use of aconventional self-locking ties as a physical restraint for a personbeing arrested by law enforcement in a manner similar to the way lawenforcement typically uses handcuffs. When used in law enforcement,conventional self-locking ties may cause injury when used as a temporaryrestraint by cutting and bruising skin or cutting off circulation.Injuries resulting from the use of conventional self-locking ties maycreate liability problems for law enforcement.

Furthermore, the hard and inflexible nature of the conventional tieoffers little or no friction between the tie straps and the objects theyencompass. In other words, conventional self-locking ties merelyencompass objects as opposed to securely gripping them and holding themin place. This lack of friction between the self-locking tie and theencompassed objects often results in an incomplete cinch around theencompassed objects. The self-locking tie can therefore wiggle, slide,or otherwise move around the objects it is intended to securely hold inplace. This movement in the self-locking tie creates stress points,breaking points, or fracture lines that lead the self-locking tie tofail completely.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that a need exists for anapparatus, system, and method for a self-locking tie that avoids damageto the objects collected by the self-locking tie and securelyencompasses such objects. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, andmethod would extend the life of the self-locking tie by avoiding stresspoints, breaking points, or fracture lines in the self-locking tie.

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable self-locking ties. Accordingly, the present invention has beendeveloped to provide an apparatus, system, and method for an elastomerlined self-locking tie that overcome many or all of the above-discussedshortcomings in the art.

The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an elongated strap, at leastone cavity disposed in the elongated strap, and a locking head. Theelongated strap includes a head end and a tapered end. The tapered endis positioned opposite the head end on the elongated strap. The taperedend includes a first surface disposed opposite a second surface. Thecavity is positioned in either the first surface or the second surfaceof the tapered end. The elastomer segment is positioned within thecavity and extends beyond either the first surface or the second surfaceof the tapered end of the elongated strap. The locking head extends fromthe head end of the elongated strap and includes an orifice shaped toreceive the tapered end of the elongated strap and the elastomersegment.

In certain embodiments, the elastomer segment includes a cavity engagingportion and an extending portion. In such an embodiment, the cavityengaging portion substantially fills the cavity and the extendingportion extends beyond either the first surface or the second surface ofthe tapered end of the elongated strap.

In one embodiment, the cavity is an elongated channel extending along atleast a portion of a length of the tapered end of the elongated strap.In another embodiment, the at least one cavity is a series of voidsdisposed along at least a portion of a length of the tapered end of theelongated strap.

The apparatus, in certain embodiments, includes a series of ridgesextending across at least a portion of the first surface of theelongated strap. In such an embodiment, the elastomer segment extendsbeyond the first surface of the tapered end of the elongated strap andbeyond the series of ridges. In certain embodiments, the cavity ispositioned within the first surface adjacent the series of ridges. Inanother embodiment, the cavity surrounds the series of ridges. In yetanother embodiment, the cavity is positioned longitudinally along acenter of the series of ridges. In a further embodiment, the cavity ispositioned within a second surface of the elongated strap opposite theseries of ridges.

The orifice in the locking head, in an exemplary embodiment, issubstantially filled by the tapered end of the elongated strap and theelastomer segment when the locking head receives the tapered end of theelongated strap and the elastomer segment.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a description of the subject matter will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be consideredto be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of aself-locking tie in accordance with the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view further illustrating theself-locking tie of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a top view further illustrating the self-locking tie of FIG. 1in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3 furtherillustrating the self-locking tie in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present subject matter;

FIG. 5 is a side view further illustrating the elastomer segment of theself-locking tie of FIGS. 1-4 in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present subject matter;

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of a self-lockingtie in accordance with the present subject matter;

FIG. 7A is a top view illustrating another embodiment of an elongatedstrap in accordance with the present subject matter; and

FIG. 7B is a side view illustrating one embodiment of an elastomersegment in accordance with the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention.One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details,or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In otherinstances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shownor described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Self-locking ties, known as cable ties or zip ties, are used to fastenobjects, or pieces of objects together. This disclosure relates to a newself-locking tie that provides improvements over conventionalself-locking ties.

Self-locking ties are vulnerable to breaking at stress points createdwhen encompassing objects of various dimensions. Self-locking tiestypically comprise a tie head and a tie strap. Self-locking ties aretypically composed of materials that are hard and inflexible. The hardand inflexible nature of self-locking ties creates kinks in the tiestrap that weaken and eventually break the strap when it comes undergreat stress.

Additionally, conventional self-locking ties are constructed with smoothsides and rigid edges. The hard and inflexible nature of theconventional tie offers little or no friction between the tie straps andthe objects they encompass. In other words, conventional self-lockingties merely encompass objects as opposed to securely gripping them andholding them in place. This lack of friction between the self-lockingtie and the encompassed objects often results in an incomplete cincharound the encompassed objects. The self-locking tie can thereforewiggle, slide, or otherwise move around the objects it is intended tosecurely hold in place. This movement in the self-locking tie createsstress points, breaking points, or fracture lines in the self-lockingtie that lead the self-locking tie to fail completely.

Furthermore, the smooth nature of the self-locking tie makes it moredifficult to secure the tie system at the greatest maximum tension. Theself-locking tie's smooth surface may create a slack in the tension ofthe tie system as a user releases the self-locking tie when attemptingto secure the self-locking tie as tight as possible.

In use, a self-locking tie's contact points may damage the very objectsit is intended to collect and organize. The hard edges of theself-locking tie straps may cut into, scratch, and otherwise damage thesurface of its collected objects. For example, law enforcement agenciesoccasionally use conventional self-locking ties as a physical restraintfor a person being arrested, in a manner similar to the way lawenforcement typically uses handcuffs. When used in law enforcement,conventional self-locking ties may cause injury when used as a temporaryrestraint by cutting and bruising skin or cutting of circulation.Injuries resulting from the use of conventional self-locking ties maycreate liability problems for law enforcement.

It is therefore one object of the disclosure to include a flexiblecomponent to the self-locking tie to minimize kinks and stress pointsthereby reducing the tie's vulnerability to wear and tear and breaking.It is a further object of this disclosure to provide a tie that securesobjects with the greatest maximum pressure. Another object of thedisclosure is to provide a self-locking tie that secures objects withoutdamaging or injuring them.

Accordingly, the present subject matter is directed to an elastomerlined self-locking tie which substantially eliminates many or all of theabove discussed problems with conventional self-locking ties. Forexample, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of aself-locking tie 100 in accordance with the present subject matter.

The self-locking tie 100, in one embodiment, includes an elongated strap102, at least one cavity 104 (see FIG. 2), an elastomer segment 106, anda locking head 108. In certain embodiments, the self-locking tie 100also includes a series of ridges 110 that extend across at least aportion of at least one surface of the elongated strap 102.

The elongated strap 102, in certain embodiments, is composed of pliablematerial such as nylon, plastic, etc. Thus, the elongated strap 102 isbendable, allowing it to encompass one or more objects of variousdimensions. The elongated strap 102 includes a head end 112 disposedopposite a tapered end 114. The locking head 108 is positioned on,coupled to, or integrally formed on the head end 112 of the elongatedstrap 102.

In certain embodiments, the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102comprises a substantially planar, pliable strap, extended in alengthwise direction. In one embodiment, the tapered end 114 of theelongated strap 102 can be considered the portion of the elongated strap102 extending from a position wherein the locking head 108 is positionedon, coupled to, or otherwise integrally formed on the head end 112 ofthe elongated strap 102.

The tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102 includes a first surface116 disposed opposite a second surface 118. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the series of ridges 110 are depicted asextending across the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114 of theelongated strap 102. In other embodiments, the series of ridges 110extend across the second surface 118 of the elongated strap 102. Asdepicted, the series of ridges 110 are formed across most of the lengthof the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102. In other embodiments,the series of ridges 110 may be formed across a portion of the length ofthe tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102 that is less than theentire length of the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102.

A tapered grasping tab 120 extends from the tapered end 114 of theelongated strap 102. In use, a user moves the tapered grasping tab 120in the direction indicated by arrow 122 and into an orifice 124 in thelocking head 108 on the head end 112 of the elongated strap 102 to forma loop with the elongated strap 102. The tapered nature of the taperedgrasping tab 120 facilitates insertion of the tapered grasping tab 120into the orifice 124 in the locking head 108 on the head end 112 of theelongated strap 102. The orifice 124 in the locking head 108 is sizedand shaped to receive the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102 andto receive the elastomer segment 106 which extends beyond the firstsurface 116 of the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the self-locking tie100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present subjectmatter. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the elastomer segment106 has been removed from the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114of the elongated strap 102 to more clearly illustrate the cavity 104disposed in the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114 of theelongated strap 102.

The cavity 104, in one embodiment, is an elongated channel that extendsalong at least a portion of the length of the tapered end 114 of theelongated strap 102. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.2, the cavity 104 comprises two channels 202 a and 202 b (collectivelychannels 202) that extend along both sides of the series of ridges 110formed across most of the length of the tapered end 114 of the elongatedstrap 102. The channels 202 are connected to one another by end recesses204 a and 204 b (collectively end recesses 204) at either end of thetapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102.

In other embodiments, the cavity may include channels 202 that extendalong both sides of the series of ridges 110 but which are not connectedto one another with end recesses 204. In another embodiment, thechannels 202 may extend for a length substantially less than the lengthof the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102. In yet anotherembodiment, the cavity 104 includes a series of voids (See FIGS. 7A and7 b) disposed along at least a portion of a length of the tapered end114 of the elongated strap.

In any of the above described embodiments, at least a portion of theelastomer segment 106 is positioned within the cavity 104 to facilitatecoupling the elastomer segment 106 to the tapered end 114 of theelongated strap 102. For example, in certain embodiments, the elastomersegment 106 includes a cavity engaging portion 206 which is receivedwithin the cavity 104. Disposing the cavity engaging portion 206 of theelastomer segment 106 within the cavity 104 helps to maintain a couplingbetween the elastomer segment 106 and the tapered end 114 of theelongated strap 102 due to the fact that the cavity engaging portion 206of the elastomer segment 106 is surrounded by the cavity 104 on threesides of the cavity 104.

An extending portion 208 of the elastomer segment 106 extends above theplane of the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114 of the elongatedstrap 102. The elastomer segment 106 is a flexible material which may bemay be comprised of materials such as silicone, rubber, thermoplasticelastomer, foam, or other materials with similar properties. The softand flexible quality of the elastomer segment 106 enable theself-locking tie 100 to encompass one or more objects of variousdimension and minimize kinks and stress points thereby reducing theself-locking tie's 100 vulnerability to wear and tear and breaking.

The friction provided by the elastomer segment 106 permits theself-locking tie 100 to grip objects more securely, holding them inplace. However, the increased friction provided by the elastomer segment106 also subjects the elastomer segment 106 to lateral forces that wouldnot otherwise be encountered. If the elastomer segment 106 were directlycoupled to the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114 of the elongatedstrap 102, the lateral forces may cause the elastomer segment 106 tobecome separated from the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114 ofthe elongated strap 102. The cavity engaging portion 206 of theelastomer segment 106 along with the cavity 104 maintain the couplingbetween the elastomer segment 106 and the first surface 116 of thetapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102. The ability to hold objectsmore securely in place also enables the self-locking tie 100 to secureobjects with less slack. The soft nature of the elastomer segment 106also allows the self-locking tie 100 to secure objects without damagingor injuring them. For example, the soft nature of the elastomer segment106 allows a user to position the self-locking tie 100 about a paintedor otherwise finished object without worry that the paint may becomescratched or otherwise damaged by the self-locking tie 100. This isparticularly true in situations where the self-locking tie 100 may moveor vibrate when in use.

In certain embodiments, the self-locking tie 100 is formed in a two-stepovermolding process. In the first step, the elongated strap 102 isformed using conventional methods known in the art. An overmold is thenpositioned on the elongated strap 102 and a second molding step isperform to mold the elastomer segment 106 onto the elongated strap 102with the cavity engaging portion 206 of the elastomer segment 106positioned within the cavity 104.

FIG. 3 is a top view further illustrating the self-locking tie 100 ofFIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.As discussed above, in certain embodiments, the cavity 104 includes apair of channels 202 a and 202 b that extend along each side of theseries of ridges 110 disposed on the first surface 116 of the taperedend 114 of the elongated strap 102. The channels 202 are connected toone another by end recesses 204 a and 204 b at either end of the taperedend 114 of the elongated strap 102. In the illustration depicted in FIG.3, the channels 202 a and 202 b and the end recesses 204 a and 204 b areobscured from view by the elastomer segment 106. However, one of skillin the art will recognize that the channels 202 a and 202 b and the endrecesses 204 a and 204 b are positioned below the elastomer segment 106and have been labeled as such.

In other embodiments, the elongated strap 102 may include a singlechannel (not shown) that runs longitudinally down a center of the seriesof ridges 110 disposed on the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114of the elongated strap 102. In such an embodiment, the elastomer segment106 may be a single strip of elastomeric material that is positionedwithin the single channel. One of skill in the art will recognize thatthe cavity 104 may take many other forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristic of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3 furtherillustrating the self-locking tie 100 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present subject matter. In FIG. 3, the elastomersegment 106 can be clearly seen as being positioned within channel 202 asuch that a portion (i.e., the cavity engaging portion 206) of theelastomer segment 106 is disposed below the first surface 116 of thetapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102 and a second portion (i.e.,extending portion 208) extends above the plane of the first surface 116of the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102.

FIG. 5 is a side view further illustrating the elastomer segment 106 ofthe self-locking tie 100 of FIGS. 1-4 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present subject matter. As discussed above, theelastomer segment 106 includes two portions, the cavity engaging portion206 and the extending portion 208.

In certain embodiments, the cavity engaging portion 206 of the elastomersegment 106 has a depth that is approximately the same as a depth of theextending portion 208. In other embodiments, such as in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5, the depth of the cavity engaging portion 206 ofthe elastomer segment 106 is smaller than the depth of the extendingportion 208. In yet another embodiment, the depth of the cavity engagingportion 206 of the elastomer segment 106 is larger than the depth of theextending portion 208.

The cavity engaging portion 206 is received within the cavity 104. Thecavity engaging portion 206 substantially fills the cavity 104 such thatthe cavity engaging portion 206 of the elastomer segment 106 issurrounded by the cavity 104 on three sides of the cavity 104.Positioning the cavity engaging portion 206 of the elastomer segment 106within the cavity 104 helps to maintain a coupling between the elastomersegment 106 and the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102 due tothe fact that the cavity engaging portion 206 of the elastomer segment106 is surrounded by the cavity 104 on three sides of the cavity 104.

The extending portion 208 of the elastomer segment 106 extends above theplane of the first surface 116 of the tapered end 114 of the elongatedstrap 102. The soft and flexible quality of the elastomer segment 106enable the self-locking tie 100 to encompass one or more objects ofvarious dimension and minimize kinks and stress points thereby reducingthe self-locking tie's 100 vulnerability to wear and tear and breaking.

With the extending portion 208 extending beyond the plane of the firstsurface 116 of the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102, theextending portion 208 increases friction between the elongated strap 102and any items encompassed by the elongated strap 102. The increasedfriction provided by the elastomer segment 106 subjects the elastomersegment 106 to lateral forces that would not otherwise be encountered.If the elastomer segment 106 were directly coupled to the first surface116 of the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102, the lateralforces may cause the elastomer segment 106 to become separated from thefirst surface 116 of the tapered end 114 of the elongated strap 102.

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of a self-lockingtie 600 in accordance with the present subject matter. In certainembodiments, the self-locking tie 600 is substantially similar to theself-locking tie 100 discussed above. Thus, the self-locking tie 600includes an elongated strap 602, at least one cavity 604, an elastomersegment 606, and a locking head 608.

The elongated strap 602, in certain embodiments, pliable material suchas nylon, plastic, etc. Thus, the elongated strap 602 is bendable toencompass one or more objects of various dimension. The elongated strap602 includes a head end 612 disposed opposite a tapered end 614. Thelocking head 608 is positioned on, coupled to, or integrally formed onthe head end 612 of the elongated strap 602.

In certain embodiments, the tapered end 614 of the elongated strap 102comprises a substantially planar, pliable strap extended in a lengthwisedirection. In one embodiment, the tapered end 614 of the elongated strap602 can be considered the portion of the elongated strap 602 extendingfrom a position wherein the locking head 608 is positioned on, coupledto, or otherwise integrally formed on the head end 612 of the elongatedstrap 602.

The tapered end 614 of the elongated strap 602 includes a first surface116 disposed opposite a second surface 618. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 6, a series of ridges 610 a and 610 b (collectivelyseries of ridges 610) are depicted as extending across the first surface616 of the tapered end 614 of the elongated strap 602. The series ofridges 610 extend across only a portion of the first surface 616 of thetapered end 614 of the elongated strap 602 on opposing sides of thecavity 604. The cavity 604 is disposed longitudinally along a center ofa series of ridges 610. In other embodiments, the series of ridges 610and the cavity 604 are disposed on the second surface 118 of theelongated strap 102.

The elastomer segment 606 is sized and shaped to be received within thecavity 604. As with the elastomer segment 106 discussed above, theelastomer segment 606 includes a cavity engaging portion and anextending portion 620. Because the view in FIG. 6 is a top view, onlythe extending portion 620 of the elastomer segment 606 can be seen.

The cavity engaging portion and the extending portion 620 of theelastomer segment 606 of the self-locking tie 600 operate in a mannersubstantially similar to the manner in which the cavity engaging portion206 and the extending portion 208 of the self-elastomer segment 106 ofthe locking tie 100 operate. Thus, the cavity engaging portionsubstantially fills the cavity 604 and is surrounded on at least threesides to facilitate coupling between the elastomer segment 606 and theelongated strap 602. Similarly, the extending portion 620 of theelastomer segment 606 extends beyond a plane of the first surface 616 ofthe tapered end 614 of the elongated strap 602.

An orifice 624 in the locking head 608 is sized and shaped to receivethe tapered end 614 of the elongated strap 602 and to receive theelastomer segment 606 of the self-locking tie 600. Pawls 626 a and 626 bare configured to engage the series of ridges 610 on either side of thecavity 604 or elastomer segment 606 to maintain the tapered end 614 ofthe elongated strap 602 at a desired position within the locking head608.

While the embodiments depicted herein all illustrate the elastomersegment 106 or 606 and the series of ridges 110 or 610 disposed on thefirst surface 116 or 616 of the tapered end 114 or 614 of the elongatedstrap 102 or 602, one of skill in in the art will recognize that theelastomer segment 106 or 606 and the series of ridges 110 or 610 may bedisposed on opposing surfaces. That is, in one embodiment, the elastomersegment 106 or 606 may be positioned on the second surface 118 or 618while the series of ridges 110 or 610 are disposed on the first surface116 or 616. Of course, the opposite is also true. That is, in otherembodiments, the elastomer segment 106 or 606 may be positioned on thefirst surface 116 or 616 while the series of ridges 110 or 610 aredisposed on the second surface 118 or 618.

FIG. 7A is a top view illustrating another embodiment of an elongatedstrap 702 in accordance with the present subject matter. In certainembodiments, instead of including a continuous cavity, such as cavities104 or 604 discussed above, the at least one cavity 704 includes aseries of voids disposed along at least a portion of a tapered end 714of the elongated strap 702. In such an embodiment, the elastomer segment706 includes corresponding cavity engaging portions to substantiallyfill the voids comprising the at least one cavity 704.

For example, FIG. 7B is a side view illustrating one embodiment of anelastomer segment 706 in accordance with the present subject matter. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B, the elastomer segment 706includes an extending portion 720 and a series of cavity engagingportions 720. Each of the cavity engaging portions 720 substantiallyfill the voids comprising the at least one cavity 704 in the elongatedstrap 702.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-locking tie, comprising: an elongatedstrap including a head end and a tapered end, the tapered end oppositefrom the head end, the elongated strap including a first surface and anopposite second surface; a pair of channels recessed in the firstsurface, each channel of the pair of channels extending along at least aportion of a length of the elongated strap at a location adjacent to aperiphery of the elongated strap, with the pair of channels beinglocated adjacent to opposite edges of the elongated strip; an elastomersegment including a pair of cavity engaging portions and a pair ofextending portions, each cavity engaging portion of the pair of cavityengaging portions being located within a channel of the pair ofchannels, each extending portions of the pair of extending portionsextending from a corresponding cavity engaging portion of the pair ofcavity engaging portions and extending beyond the first surface, alongthe length of the elongated strap at the location adjacent to theperiphery of the elongated strap; a locking head at the head end of theelongated strap, the locking head comprising an orifice shaped toreceive the tapered end of the elongated strap and the elastomersegment.
 2. The self-locking tie of claim 1, further comprising: aseries of teeth protruding from the first surface of the elongated strapand extending across at least a portion of a width of the first surfaceof the elongated strap, each extending portion of the pair of extendingportions of the elastomer segment extending beyond the series of teeth.3. The self-locking tie of claim 2, wherein the pair of cavity engagingportions are located peripherally relative to the series of teeth. 4.The self-locking tie of claim 1, wherein the orifice of the locking headis substantially filled by a cross section of the elongated strap andthe elastomer segment when the orifice of the locking head receives thecross section of the elongated strap and the elastomer segment.
 5. Anapparatus capable of affixing a plurality of items, the apparatuscomprising: an elongated strap including a head end and a tapered end,the tapered end located at an opposite end of the elongated strap fromthe head end, the elongated strap also including a first surface and asecond surface opposite from the first surface; a first elongatedchannel recessed in the first surface, along at least a portion of alength of the elongated strap, at a location adjacent to a firstperipheral edge of the elongated strap; a second elongated channelrecessed in the first surface, extending along at least a portion of thelength of the elongated strap at a location adjacent to a secondperipheral edge of the elongated strap, the first peripheral edge andthe second peripheral edge comprising opposite peripheral edges alongthe length of the elongated strap; an elastomer segment, including: afirst cavity engaging portion and a first extending portion, the firstcavity engaging portion substantially filling the first elongatedchannel, the first extending portion extending from the first cavityengaging portion beyond the first surface of the elongated strap; and asecond cavity engaging portion and a second extending portion, thesecond cavity engaging portion substantially filling the secondelongated channel, the second extending portion extending from thesecond cavity engaging portion beyond the first surface of the elongatedstrap; a locking head at the head end of the elongated strap, thelocking head comprising an orifice shaped to receive a cross section ofthe elongated strap and the elastomer segment.
 6. The apparatus of claim5, further comprising: a series of teeth protruding from the firstsurface of the elongated strap and extending across a portion of a widthof the first surface of the elongated strap between the first extendingportion of the elastomer segment and the second extending portion of theelastomer segment, the first extending portion and the second extendingportion extending beyond the series of teeth.
 7. The apparatus of claim6, wherein the first channel and the second channel are recessed in thefirst surface on opposite sides of the series of teeth.
 8. An elastomerlined self-locking tie, comprising: an elongated strap including a headend and a tapered end at opposite ends of the elongated strap, theelongated strap comprising a first surface and a second surface oppositefrom the first surface; a series of teeth protruding from the firstsurface of the elongated strap and extending across a portion of a widthof the first surface of the elongated strap; a cavity, comprising: atleast one channel recessed in the first surface of the elongated strap,adjacent to the series of teeth, between the series of teeth and aperipheral side edge of the elongated strap, the at least one channelextending along at least a portion of a length of the elongated strap;and at least another channel recessed in the first surface of theelongated strap, adjacent to the series of teeth, between the series ofteeth and another peripheral side edge of the elongated strap, the atleast another channel extending along at least a portion of the lengthof the elongated strap; an elastomer segment, comprising: at least onecavity engaging portion substantially filling the at least one channel;at least one extending portion extending from the at least one cavityengaging portion, beyond the first surface of the elongated strap; atleast another cavity engaging portion substantially filling the at leastanother channel; and at least another extending portion extending fromthe at least another cavity engaging portion, beyond the first surfaceof the elongated strap; and a locking head at the head end of theelongated strap, the locking head comprising an orifice shaped toreceive a cross section of the elongated strap and the elastomersegment.
 9. The elastomer lined self-locking tie of claim 8, wherein theat least one extending portion of the elastomer segment and the at leastanother extending portion of the elastomer segment extend beyond aheight of the series of teeth.
 10. The self-locking tie of claim 3,wherein the pair of extending portions of the elastomer segment arejoined at the tapered end of the elongated strap.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the first extending portion and the second extendingportion of the elastomer segment are joined at the tapered end of theelongated strap.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the firstextending portion and the second extending portion of the elastomersegment are joined at the head end of the elongated strap.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the first extending portion and the secondextending portion of the elastomer segment are joined at the head end ofthe elongated strap.
 14. The elastomer lined self-locking tie of claim8, wherein the at least one extending portion of the elastomer segmentand the at least another extending portion of the elastomer segment arejoined at a tapered end of the elongated strap.